Cleanup of an estimated 116,760 gallons of gasoline continues along Maple Street near Ohio 58 and could take weeks.

Wellington firefighters, Sunoco subsidiary Sun Pipeline Co. and the Ohio and U.S. Environmental Protection Agencies are handling the cleanup.

The break in the 8-inch pipe occurred about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. Sunoco control-room workers noticed a deviation in pressure and flow in the pipe and shut down valves upstream and downstream to minimize the release, spokeswoman Nora Jacobs said.

A Sunoco official said Sunday night that the released gasoline had been contained.

Gasoline spilled into a gravel parking lot and spread to White Ditch Creek along Maple Street. Workers kept the spill from reaching the Black River and the city's sewage treatment plant.

Jacobs said the residents will not be able to return home until the air is deemed safe to breathe. The pipeline begins in Toledo, crosses northern Ohio and ends in Allegheny, Pa.

The Lorain County Red Cross has helped people find temporary shelter.

The public can get questions answered at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Wellington High School cafeteria. Sunoco officials will be there.

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